HCFA gets a new name and an overhaul
HCFA gets a new name and an overhaul
The Health Care Financing Administration earlier this month got a new name that top brass said better reflects its mission: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Tommy Thompson |
The new name is part of a series of planned reforms to strengthen the agency's services, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.
The agency will reorganize into three units:
- The Center for Beneficiary Choices will provide information about Medicare, as well as Medigap and Medicare Select insurance plans.
- The Center for Medicare Management will develop payment policies for fee-for-service care and manage Medicare contractors.
- The Center for Medicaid and State Operations will oversee state-administered programs, including Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
By Oct. 1, a Web tool will be ready to help users make health plan choices and do out-of-pocket cost comparisons of insurance options.
'P. Vasishtha